Decision Delayed On Convention Center

September 6, 1985|By Scott A. Zamost, Staff Writer

After Fort Lauderdale officials and hotel executives issued an appeal Thursday not to rush into approving a convention center, the Broward County Tourist Development Council delayed considering possible sites until late October at the earliest.

``If you rush this, the (property) tax will eat you up or you`ll have another thing like the jail,`` warned William Leonard, attorney for the county Hotel and Motel Association.

But council member David Katz, a strong supporter of a convention center, said it was misleading to suggest that property taxes would be increased to pay for a facility, even though it would never be self-sufficient.

``These are the tactics that the opponents of a convention center are trying to create,`` Katz said.

Katz said he has been discussing plans with the owners of a 25-acre site south of the airport in Dania off Griffith Road and Federal Highway. Consultants Touche Ross and Co. ranked the site as the most suitable location in Broward. Fifteen acres of the property are for sale, and the owners of the remaining 10 acres plan a hotel and office complex.

Katz said a major hotel chain, which he would not identify, may agree to participate in a joint public-private venture on the 15 acres. He said he will report back to the council at its Oct. 24 meeting.

However, council Chairman Scott Cowan said he did not expect a decision whether to build a convention center until January.

Fort Lauderdale city officials asked the council Thursday to delay any vote until the results of a $175,000 beach redevelopment study are received. The city plans to direct its consultant, which it will select next month, to analyze the need and location for a convention center.